Turkish authorities arrested Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamo?lu on Wednesday as part of an investigation into alleged corruption and terrorism links, state media reported. The opposition leader and key rival to President Recep Tayyip Erdo?an was taken into custody amid sweeping arrests targeting 100 individuals.
Security forces blocked streets in Istanbul and banned protests for four days to prevent demonstrations following the high-profile arrest.
Imamo?lu, 53, posted a defiant message on social media: “A blow against the will of the nation.” CHP leader Özgür Özel called the arrest a “coup attempt” against Turkey’s next potential president.
The arrest follows a controversial move by Istanbul University to annul Imamo?lu’s degree, effectively disqualifying him from future elections. He denounced the decision as “illegal” and politically motivated.
